On the Value of Simply Listening to Someone

I shared this two years ago on Facebook and it’s even more true in light of the past 4 months. The truth is, sometimes people share things and AREN’T looking for advice. Sometimes, they just want people to listen. It seems like such a simple and insignificant gesture, but listening to someone is an incredibly powerful thing!

Don’t be the person that swoops in with unsolicited advice. It’s not helpful. Trust me. In fact, it just makes people more hurt and confused. Sometimes, not everything can be fixed, even though that’s our first instinct is to solve problems right away. We can’t solve everyone’s problems, but we do have the power to ease their burden and fears. We can take some of the weight off their shoulders just by listening.

So, the next time someone comes to you, sit down with them. And just listen. It’ll help them more than you could ever know… xoxo

P.S. What I’ve learned about family closeness…